Revalidating Color Coded Measurement of Resistance using Multimeter
Beech, E., Custodia, M., Malagkit, E., Pagaoa, C., Salonga, C., Mate, K., Pontiga, D., & Tipay, C.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Rizal High School – Senior High School, Caniogan, Pasig City
1
bomimylove00@gmail.com
Abstract. This experiment aims to determine the
accuracy level of resistance of theoretical from
experimental method in series and parallel
connection. Three sets of resistance with varying
colors were used. Experimental method data was
done thru the usage of multimeter while the
Theoretical method used manual solving and
analysis of wired resistances. Different resistors
with varying resistance acquired 0, .735, 3
percentage error for R1, R2, R3 respectively. For
series connection, equal resistance R111, R222 and
R333 has 444, 1.47, 3.33 while different resistance
R123, R122, R121 has 1.37, .35, 0 percentage error
respectively. For parallel connection, equal
resistance has 1, .881, 2.1 while different resistance
has 2.04, 1.44, 2.09 percentage error respectively.
Series-parallel connection of equal resistance has
.444, 1.96, 3.33 and different resistance has .299,
0, 1.22 percentage error respectively. The values
are considered accurate since the computed
percentage error ranged from 0-3.3% which was
within the indicated tolerance of 5%.
Keywords: Resistance, Series, Parallel,
Multimeter, Color Coding
Introduction
Resistance is the measure of the opposition to electric
current. Most circuits have more than one component that
limits the flow of charge in the circuit that is called a
resistor, whilst a measure of this limit on charge flow is
called resistance.
Measurement of the resistance of an individual
resistor can be read through the color coding present on
the resistor or through the use of a multimeter and is
denoted with Ω read as ohm. However, resistors
connected in a combination differ in value of resistance
depending on how the resistors are connected.
In a series combination, where resistors are placed
consecutively, the current flows sequentially. Thus the
individual resistance adds together since the current flows
through each resistor. In contrast, parallel combination of
resistors flows different since each individual resistor is
Experiment 1: Resistors
connected to the voltage source, having each resistor the
full voltage applied. [1]
In this experiment, the use of the color coding and
multimeter was utilized to determine the accuracy of the
two methods in comparison of measuring individual
resistance. The researchers used Ohm’s law in
determining the total resistance of the resistors in series
and parallel combinations using the color band values
while testing if the resistance matches the multimeter
reading in determining accuracy.
Methodology
In this experiment, students started by gathering 3
sets of 7 resistors with different resistance. These sets
were then labeled and measured. R1 is the set of 7 resistors
having 150 ohms resistance. While R2 is the set of 7
resistors having 68ohms resistance and R3 set is for 7
resistors having 1 ohm. These measurements were all
identified through the use of color coding based on the
band of each resistor. Measurements based on the color
coding were written in the theoretical.
Based on the given task, first the resistors were
connected in (a) series of equal resistance and (b) a series
of different resistance for three different set-ups. The
resistors were connected by twisting the connected ends
of each resistor. Then the equivalent resistance was
measured through the use of multimeter connected on
both ends of the connection. The data were then recorded
on Table 2.
The next set-up, three resistors were connected in
parallel (a) equal resistance and (b) different resistance for
three different set-ups. The resistors were connected by
connecting the ends of connected resistors following the
given diagram. Then the equivalent resistance was
measured through the use of multimeter. The data were
then recorded on Table 3.
The last set-up, six resistors were connected in a
series-parallel combination (a) equal resistance and (b)
different resistance for three different set-ups. The
Page 1 of 4
resistors were connected by connecting the ends of R122 286 287 0.350
connected resistors following the given diagram. Then the R121 368 368 0
equivalent resistance was measured through the use of
multimeter. The data were then recorded on Table 4.
Table no. 2 shows the summation of readings
The equivalent resistance acquired based on the obtained from the color code of three resistors in series
multimeter was recorded under the column of connection which is the theoretical value and the readings
experimental and the equivalent resistance acquired acquired from the multimeter which is the experimental
through solving was recorded under theoretical. value.
In the first part where the resistances of the resistors
Result and Discussion
are equal, the theoretical total resistance of R111, R222 and
Table 1: Resistors with Different Resistance R333 are 450, 204 and 3, respectively. Meanwhile, their
Resistors Resistance Percentage experimental values are 452, 207 and 3.1, respectively.
Theoretical Experimental Error(%) Using the percentage error formula, 0.444 percent error
were found in the readings of first set of resistors, while the
R1 150. 150 0
second and third reading have 1.47 percent and 3.33
R2 68.0 68.5 0.735 percent.
R3 1.00 0.970 3.00
In the second part where the resistances of the
resistors are different, the theoretical total resistance of R123,
R122 and R121 are 219, 286 and 368, respectively.
Table 1 shows the readings obtained from the color
Meanwhile, their experimental values are 222, 287 and 3.1,
coding of resistors which is the theoretical value and the
respectively. Using the percentage error formula, 1.37
readings acquired from the multimeter which is the
percent error were found in the readings of first set of
experimental value. The theoretical resistance of R1, R2 and
resistors, while the second and third reading have 0.35
R3 are 150, 68 and 1, respectively. Meanwhile, their
percent and 0 percent.
experimental values are 150,68.5 and 0.97, respectively.
Using the percentage error formula, 0 percent error were The table proves that in a series circuit, the total
found in the readings of first resistor, while the second and resistance is equivalent to the summation of individual
third reading have 0.735 percent and 3 percent. resistance. This is due to the fact that there is a only a single
path in which current can flow thus the resistors are all
The low percentage error ranging from 0 – 3
contributing to the resistance. In the first part, since the
percent shows that the multimeter readings are consistent
value of resistors are equal, the total resistance is acquired
with the given tolerance in the color coding which is 5
by multiplying the resistance of a single resistor by the
percent. The error could also be due to the minimal
number of resistors. The low percentage error ranging from
resistance of the researcher’s bare hands that affects the
0 – 3.33 percent shows that the multimeter readings are
total resistance This proves that the color coding is reliable
consistent with the computation using the addition of
indicator or the resistor’s resistance.
resistances. The error could be due to the minimal resistance
Table 2: Three Resistors in Series Connection of the researcher’s bare hands that affects the total
Resistor Resistance Percentage resistance. It could be also due to the individual percent
Combination Theoretical Experimental Error(%) errors of the resistors used in the series connection.
A. Equal Resistance Table 3: Three Resistors in Parallel Connection
R111 450. 452 0.444 Resistor Resistance Percentage
R222 204 207 1.47 Combination Theoretical Experimental Error(%)
R333 3.00 3.10 3.33 A. Equal Resistance
B. Different Resistance R111 50.0 50.5 1.00
R123 219 222 1.37 R222 22.7 22.9 0.881

Experiment 1: Resistors Page 2 of 4

 R333 0.333 0.340 2.10
B. Different Resistance
R123 0.980 1.00 2.04
R122 27.7 28.1 1.44
R121 35.5 36.1 1 .69
Table no. 3 shows the computed total resistance
using the color code of three resistors in parallel connection
which is the theoretical value and the readings acquired
from the multimeter which is the experimental value.
In the first part where the resistances of the resistors
are equal, the theoretical total resistance of R111, R222 and
R333 are 50, 22.7 and 0.333, respectively. Meanwhile, their
experimental values are 50.5, 22.9 and 0.340, respectively.
Using the percentage error formula, 1 percent error were
found in the readings of first set of resistors, while the
second and third reading have 0.881 percent and 2.1
percent.
In the second part where the resistances of the
resistors are different, the theoretical total resistance of R123,
R122 and R121 are 219, 286 and 368, respectively.
Meanwhile, their experimental values are 0.98, 27.7 and
35.5, respectively. Using the percentage error formula, 2.04
percent error were found in the readings of first set of
resistors, while the second and third reading have 1.44
percent and 1.69 percent.
The table proves that in parallel circuit, the total
resistance is equivalent to the inverse of the algebraic sum
of the inverse of individual resistance. This is because there
are more paths in which the current can flow and the
potential difference is equal for every point in the circuit
which leads to the drop in resistance. In the first part, since
the value of resistors are equal, the total resistance is
acquired by dividing the resistance of a single resistor by
the number of resistors. The low percentage error ranging
from 0.881 – 2.1 percent shows that the multimeter readings
are consistent with the computation using the formula of
resistance in parallel circuits. The error could be due to the
minimal resistance of the researcher’s bare hands that
affects the total resistance. It could be also due to the
individual percent errors of the resistors used in the parallel
connection.
Table 4: Three Resistors in Series-Parallel Connection
Resistor Resistance Percentage
Combination Theoretical Experimental Error(%)
A. Equal Resistance
R111 450 448 0.444
R222 204 208 1.96
R333 3 3.1 3.33
B. Different Resistance
R123 334 335 0.299
R122 368 368 0
R121 409 404 1.22
Table no. 4 shows the readings acquired from the
multimeter which is the experimental value and the
computed value of total resistance in the series-parallel
circuit.
In the first part where the resistances of the six (6)
resistors are equal, the theoretical total resistance of R111,
R222 and R333 are 450, 204 and 3, respectively. Meanwhile,
their experimental values are 448, 208 and 3.1, respectively.
Using the percentage error formula, 0.444 percent error
were found in the readings of first set of resistors, while the
second and third reading have 1.96 percent and 3.33
percent.
In the second part where the resistances of the
resistors are different, the theoretical total resistance of R123,
R122 and R121 are 334, 368 and 409, respectively.
Meanwhile, their experimental values are 0.98, 27.7 and
35.5, respectively. Using the percentage error formula,
0.299 percent error were found in the readings of first set of
resistors, while the second and third reading 0 percent and
1.22 percent.
The table proves that in series-parallel circuit, the
total resistance depends on the flow of current. The low
percentage error ranging from 0–3.33 percent shows that the
multimeter readings are consistent with the computation
using the formula of resistance in parallel circuits. The error
could be due to the minimal resistance of the researcher’s
bare hands that affects the total resistance. It could be also
due to the individual percent errors of the resistors used in
the parallel connection.
Conclusion
The researchers were able to identify the value of a
resistor in ohms through the color coding in its body. The
colors indicate the 1st, 2nd and 3rd digits of the resistor,
its multiplier, and its tolerance. The identified value was
then compared to the value of a resistor produced by a

Experiment 1: Resistors Page 3 of 4

multimeter. The three values of the resistors showed a
percentage error within 0-3% which is considered
accurate because it falls under the indicated tolerance of
5%.
The researchers were able to determine the total
resistance of resistors connected in a series network by
simply adding the value of the individual resistors. On the
other hand, the total resistance in a parallel network was
determined by adding the reciprocal value of the
individual resistors and then getting the inverse of the
algebraic sum. The computed value was then compared to
the value produced by a multimeter. The values are
considered accurate since the computed percentage error
ranged from 0-3.3% which was within the indicated
tolerance of 5%

Recommendation
At the span of the experiment, the researchers sort of
encountered problems regarding about how to use and
read the results given by the digital multimeter. The
researchers would like to recommend that basic
knowledge about how to properly use the digital
multimeter should be given first to future researchers, so
that they can effectively utilize the tool and give a more
accurate observation. As well as, the resistors could be
somehow slightly dangerous as it might cause wounds in
the fingertips or hands therefore the researchers are asked
to take extra care in doing the various circuits required
using the resistors. Lastly, the researchers hand could also
slightly affect the readings thus a breadboard must be
provided to be able to recreate the circuit diagrams more
easily and to also avoid small accidents such as what's
mentioned above.
Acknowledgement
The researchers would like to acknowledge Mr.
Raneses for providing knowledge as basis of this
experiment. Also, Rizal High School for lending the
laboratory equipment and apparatus. Above all, the
almighty God for the spirit of strength and motivation that
pushed the researchers to strive in performing this
activity.

References
[1] Resistors in Series and Parallel. (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/
boundless-physics /chapter/resistors-in-series-
and-parallel/

Experiment 1: Resistors Page 4 of 4